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33rd Week in Ordinary Time

Date:

Tue, 11/18/2014

Author:

Rev. Msgr. Donald Enzweiler

A door opens for Zacchaeus….a door of faith.
Such a door leads him to communion with God
and to membership in the community of God’s people.
Zacchaeus crosses the threshold
when he allows the transforming grace of Jesus into his heart.
Jesus knocks on the door of his heart:
“Zacchaeus, I must stay with you today.” Zacchaeus joyfully welcomes him.

One sign of faith’s presence
is Zacchaeus’ detachment from his possessions.
Half of his wealth he commits to the poor.
Another sign of faith’s presence
is this man’s new-found commitment to reparation:
he rights his wrongs four times over.

Faith is more than an internal assent to doctrines and dogmas.
It is a response to God lived out in the world.
There is no doubt in my mind:
Zacchaeus’ conversion was seen and felt by others.
I imagine many said: “what’s gotten into Zacchaeus?
Is he drinking? Why is he so generous and kind all of a sudden?”
And Zacchaeus was not shy in responding:
“God has changed my life. May His name be praised.”

I don’t imagine Zacchaeus’ life was, by any means, perfect after his conversion.
He had a lot of fences to mend…
and I’m sure it wasn’t easy….regaining people’s trust,
changing ingrained and well-worn habits, living with less.
I’m sure he struggled with his wife and children…
who probably thought he was nuts when he started giving away the family’s belongings.

It is only supposition on my part, but I believe Zacchaeus stayed the course.
He set his heart and his eyes on Jesus and never turned back.
Through his encounter with Jesus, Zacchaeus discovered a new road, a new path.
Zacchaeus discovered a life that, up to this point, did not exist for him.
It wasn’t on his radar.

Through his word, through this Eucharist, Jesus knocks on the door of our heart.
Let us receive him with joy.
May his presence open our eyes anew to the path of life.
May his grace strengthen our commitment to a life of faith
….a life that awakens in us,
and through us, awakens in others
the desire for God and for the blessings He offers.